All Japan Day 2018, South Australia

The Adelaide seaside suburb of Glenelg plays host to some great car shows throughout the year, but only Iron Chef’s All Japan Day covers the grass for the whole weekend

 

All Japan Day 2018

Now in its 10th year, Adelaide’s All Japan Day has become a summer institution, dishing up chrome bumpers, stanced ride heights, structural zip ties and ridiculous conversions in equal measure. Wigley Reserve’s lush grass is often sundrenched and sea-breeze kissed, but this time it was sweat-drenched and kissed by Japanese mini-trucks laying rail.

Euro-photographer extraordinaire Alastair Brook was instantly turned on to 80s hot hatches, with a ‘twin-charged’ Nissan March stealing his attention for many minutes. Unsure if your project deserves a blower or a turbo? Like the taco girl says, “Why don’t we have both?” The March Super Turbo packs one of each, strapped to a 930cc four-cylinder engine. If it sounds insane, it’s because it is, but it’s good for a 15.5 second quarter, which is pretty swift for a sub-1.0 litre screamer.

| Buyers guide: Japanese Car Market 2018 review

This Mazda RX7 may look out there, but the paint scheme was factory delivered, applied to a handful of Allan Moffat Specials created for, but banned from Group C touring car racing

As I dragged a reluctant Alastair away his lens instantly clamped onto a Honda Beat; a grey-import, 660cc mid-engined kei car. I dig the kei cars, made for Japan’s supermini regulations, but I was there to see chintzy Japanese chrome. There was no way I would end up disappointed.

Ben Cheney’s Japanese-delivered 510 SSS looked great on a set of 15in Watanabe alloys

Ben Cheney’s sweet JDM KP510 1800 SSS coupe, a ‘Datto 1600’ to you and me, sat proud in the centre of the show on a set of 15in Watanabes. It’s been through a couple of owners locally, but remains immaculate and never fails to draw a crowd.

Ben’s SSS shared grass time with some other show highlights, including a tuned and trackable 240Z, a 2JZ-GTE powered Toyota Cressida wagon and one of 10 Allan Moffat Mazda RX7s, presented in a unique factory tri-colour paint job.

This surf-spec MX36 Toyota Cressida wagon runs a late-model 2JZ-GTE turbocharged 2.5 litre six

Modern rides complemented the chrome, with most representing the grey import scene. It’s important to remember that kids like Eden Bastian who, at 16 years old is three years younger than her R34 Skyline, are the future of our hobby.

Aiden Wescombe’s little Datsun 1200 ute track car packs an SR20DET, with a GTX2867R turbo and four-link R31 Skyline rear end

Regardless of the day’s distinctly ramen flavouring, Aussie manufacturing was heavily represented as always. We spotted a mint 50th Anniversary 910-series Bluebird, a replica Mitsubishi Sigma Turbo and plenty of Corollas, all proudly knocked together by our fellow countrymen.

This Nissan March Super Turbo runs a 930cc four-cylinder with both a supercharger and a turbo charger

Such is the event’s popularity, the Iron Chef himself, chief organiser Kristian Appelt, extended the 2018 show across the whole weekend.

A third of entrants had such a great time, they attended both days, their fees and food purchases helping raise $7500 for Novita Children’s Services. “The jury is still out if we stick to the two-day format,” says Kristian. “We might split it into classics and modern next year.” Whether your passion is classic or plastic, Chef will serve something for you to enjoy.

 

 

Photography: Alastair Brook